Khabib Nurmagomedov Demands Title Shot, Threatens to Leave UFC

It looks like things might become a little more interesting in the
UFC’s lightweight division.

When Khabib
Nurmagomedov mauled Michael
Johnson on Saturday at UFC 205
and stopped him in the third round, he used the platform to call
out the Conor
McGregor and proclaimed his candidacy for a shot at the
lightweight title. He yelled into the mic in both broken English
and his native Russian that he is the best at the weight and is the
most deserving of the opportunity. McGregor captured the
lightweight championship with a second-round knockout of Eddie
Alvarez in the UFC 205 headliner.

On Wednesday afternoon, Nurmagomedov took to his official Twitter
account on Wednesday and told UFC President Dana White that he
wants a title shot or else. Nurmagomedov, even after dominating
Johnson, dropped from the No. 1 contender spot in the lightweight
rankings to the second position while Tony
Ferguson jumped from No. 3 to No. 1 after he edged former champ
Rafael dos
Anjos UFC Fight Night 98 on Nov. 5. Now the Dagestani grappler
is threatening to leave the promotion if he doesn’t get a chance at
gold.

“I want to fight for [UFC] title for respect but if I don't get my
title shot next I have different plan I won't be fighting in UFC,”
Nurmagomedov wrote.

I want to fight for @ufc title for respect but if I don't
get my title shot next I have different plan I won't be fighting in
UFC @danawhite

Similar tactics have been used unsuccessfully in recent weeks as
interim featherweight champion Jose Aldo
tried to force the UFC’s hand by asking for his contract to be
terminated after the promotion didn’t force McGregor to defend the
145-pound belt. Thus far it hasn’t worked out for Aldo, as there
appears to be no immediate plans for the UFC or McGregor to cave
into the Brazilian’s demands.